National report lists Laredo as largest inland port

By MIKE HALLLAREDO MORNING TIMES

The saying all roads lead to Laredo has gained support from a recently released report that lists the Gateway City as the No. 4 port in the United States in terms of dollar value of imports and exports, making it the largest land port in the country.

The report, based on 2004 federal figures (the most recent available), includes ports that ship by water as well as land, making Laredo's high ranking all the more significant.

Leading the list are Los Angeles, New York City and Detroit - all water ports. Nos. 5-10 are are New Orleans, Houston/Galveston, Chi-cago, San Francisco, Seattle and Buffalo.

The Laredo port had $130.8 billion worth of goods and merchandise pass through in 2004, up 13.34 percent over last year's total of $115.4 billion, according to 2004 U.S. Census Bureau statistics.

Exports generated $56 billion for 2004 while imports accounted for $74.8 billion. Exports jumped 15.03 percent compared to last year while imports went up 12 percent.

Numbers not surprising

Charla Griffin, president of the Laredo Transportation Association, was not surprised at the numbers.

"All you have to do is look at the growth that's been here over the years," Griffin said. "As for us carriers, there's a whole variance betwe-en this border point and the other ones. The fact is we have a lot more equipment here, more movement.

"There is no question international trade is the lifeline of Laredo," she said. "When you look at the sheer amount of jobs that are created between the trucking companies, the drayage companies, the railroad, the U.S. Custom House brokers, the freight forwarders, the logistics suppliers, there is such a huge employment base.

"This is not getting into vendors who supply us, the tire companies, the truck stops, the trailer dealerships, and the hotels and restaurants. We just fuel a huge amount of employment in Laredo."

Facts by LDF

According to the Laredo Development Foundation, more than 700 of the Fortune 1000 companies do international business via Laredo, and more than 9,000 trucks cross through town per day along with 1,800 loaded rail cars. Laredo is ranked first in growth in Texas by the Milken Institute, and seventh in the country.

The Laredo International Airport is the seventh largest cargo hub to Latin America with 323.6 million pounds of cargo in 2004.

The LDF reports Laredo is home to 71 carriers which connect with 51 motor terminals.

There are 20 active industrial parks in Laredo with a range of prices and variety of sites.

The jobs created by the transportation industry help created a civilian labor force of 85,500 people and helps keep the unemployment level to around 5.7 percent each month.

Diverse economy

There is so much diversity in employment; the manufacturing component - 2,319 workers - is small compared to non-manufacturing workers, according to the February update at the LDF.

Exports and imports are equally important, officials say.

Griffin agrees.

"You want to keep a balance in the trucking business," she said. "For every truck that comes in, you want a load going out. Balance is the key. The market has changed the past year. We're seeing a tremendous amount of exports, more than we've ever seen before," Griffin said. "We're seeing less imports. It's a very changing market."

Rafael Garcia, bridge director for the World Trade Bridge, said more than 90 percent of the truck traffic flows through his bridge, one of four international spans in Laredo. About 6 to 7 percent is handled at at the Camino Columbia Bridge; the rest goes over the other bridges.

Garcia said he has seen a 3 to 5 percent increase in the commercial traffic at the World Trade Bridge over the past year.

"The commercial traffic is not impacted by local issues, whatever they may be. It's impacted by world issues and the world economy, the costs of diesel fuel, etc." Garcia said. "The commercial impact goes all over the world, and has nothing to do with what happens in Laredo."

Transportation key to city
Transportation is a major factor in the success of the Gateway City.

"Sixty percent of the city's revenues, or $35 million, comes directly from the commercial world. That's an awful big stake," Garcia said. "We have a lot of things that bring revenue into the city, and one of the big ones is the bridge system. Of the bridge system, the commercial end controls 60 percent."

Due to the diversity of the economy and resiliency of the business leaders in Laredo, however, the city is not dependent on trucking for its survival, Garcia said.

"I remember when we had the Air Force Base," he said.

When the announcement came of the Laredo AFB's closing, the feeling in the city was one of desperation.

"Everybody said, 'Well, that's it. Laredo will revert back to a little dusty town and nothing will be left.' What happened is that you bounce back in a different avenue," Garcia said. "If the trucking industry were to go away tomorrow, some would say the same thing (as) when the base left. This is not true because the need to survive would make us do something else, whatever that may be."

He noted that Laredo has survived several major blows in the past.

"The resiliency of our citizens is incredible," Garcia said. "I remember in 1984, with the peso devaluation, you could see on all the charts how the economy dropped. We bounced back not only to the same level, but beyond.

"It's like nature taking its course," Garcia added. "Those who do not manage their businesses well will fall to the wayside. It leaves the best of the best to continue, and the economy gets better. That's how we survive."

(Mike Hall may be contacted at 728-2529 or by e-mail at mhall@lmtonline.com)